South West Water has confirmed that the region is heading towards its 11th consecutive year without water restrictions - good news for gardeners, the tourist industry and every single person in the region.

Current storage in our reservoirs now stands at 90%, that's 6% higher than at this time last year and 40% higher than last November.

The prolonged dry weather from November 2004 to November 2006 resulted in parts of the South East experiencing the worst drought conditions for many years.

But with the help of its customers and its own three-pronged water resources strategy, South West Water has managed to maintain a secure supply throughout this challenging period.

Dr Stephen Bird, South West Water's Operations Director, said: "We are optimistic that we have sufficiently boosted water resources in the South West to cope with this year's peak summer demand.

"Over the last 11 years the company has made significant investment into improving our water resources position by reducing leakage, implementing pumped storage and making massive enhancements to water treatment and the distribution network. We have also recently purchased Park Lake, a former china clay pit on Bodmin Moor, to boost supplies in Cornwall."

"We cannot afford to become complacent over this vital issue and South West Water continually reviews its water resource strategy to meet future population growth and climate change.

"We would also like to thank our customers for continuing to use water wisely, with nearly 60% of households now on a water meter and thousands more converting every month. More and more people are also doing their bit by fitting simple water-conserving devices such as hippos' in their toilets."

To mark 11 years without water restrictions and highlight some of the vital issues surrounding water resources and climate change in the region, the media are invited to meet Dr. Stephen Bird on April 23 at 11am at Roadford - the region's largest reservoir.